White Sox analysis: Who's out there for the Sox in the offseason?

Monday

Sep 24, 2007 at 12:01 AMSep 24, 2007 at 3:46 PM

Manager Ozzie Guillen has routinely said he wouldn’t want to be general manager Ken Williams during the coming offseason. Williams will be in charge of rebuilding — or at least retooling — the roster to add to what he considers the “championship pieces” the White Sox already have.

Nathaniel Whalen

Manager Ozzie Guillen has routinely said he wouldn’t want to be general manager Ken Williams during the coming offseason.

Williams will be in charge of rebuilding — or at least retooling — the roster to add to what he considers the “championship pieces” the White Sox already have.

He’ll be consulting his big board of minor leaguers to see who’s ready, scouring the majors looking for trades and, perhaps the most intriguing aspect, checking out all the free agents out there.

If the Sox don’t pick up shortstop Juan Uribe’s $5 million option for 2008, don’t think Jerry Owens is an everyday center fielder yet and take another shot at a revamped bullpen, they can explore the 2008 free-agent class, which has some potential fixes at those three key positions.

Shortstop

The best: David Eckstein certainly fits into the “grinder” mode the Sox love. The 5-foot-6, 170-pound right-handed-hitting shortstop went into Monday’s game with a .286 lifetime batting average, .351 on-base percentage, a .979 fielding percentage at short and two World Series rings (2002 Angels, 2006 Cardinals). On the other hand, it’s always risky to pay a lot — which Eckstein will want, and likely get — for someone who routinely plays above his perceived potential and is a big defensive downgrade from the likes of Uribe.

The rest: The Pirates have a $5.45 million option on Cesar Izturis, whom Guillen loves. If Pittsburgh doesn’t pick up Izturis’ contract option, the Sox could make a run at the good-glove, bad-bat ex-Cub. Otherwise, unless Neifi Perez or an aging Omar Vizquel gets your blood going, that’s about it here.

The sleeper: It’s most likely a pipe dream — unless Williams clears up a ton of payroll space — but the GM does love Alex Rodriguez, who could opt out of his contract and become a free agent. Realistically though, it’s the Yankees or bust for Rodriguez, who plays third base for New York.

Overall grade: C+

Center field

The best: Take your pick. Torii Hunter is an incredible defensive center fielder who can mash, but the 32-year-old also wants at least a four-year deal, which is a lot for someone who plays as hard as he does (thereby risking injury). Andruw Jones, whom the Sox reportedly tried to get in 2004, has had a subpar year with Atlanta (.220 batting average, 26 HRs, 93 RBI through Sunday) but will still probably get more on the market than the Sox are prepared to pay. Ex-Sox Aaron Rowand could get in the $10 million range after a great year (.313, 26, 88) but has professed love for the Sox — and they like him right back. The Phillies, however, may now have to make a big push to keep him, considering how well he’s played this year.

The rest: Mike Cameron, another ex-Sox, is a notch below the top three despite having good power and range. He strikes out a ton, something Guillen wants to cut down on, and doesn’t hit for a high average.

The sleeper: Corey Patterson is an interesting option. He can run, hit for a little power, some average and knows Chicago well. Then again, the ex-Cub knows Chicago well, which may not be a good thing.

Overall Grade: A

Relief pitchers

The best: That Mariano Rivera guy is pretty good, and if the Sox want to get back into the postseason, he is the greatest October reliever ever. On the other hand, he will be 38 years old, will cost a boatload and will probably never leave the Yankees.

The rest: Scott Linebrink was solid with the Padres early and has been a good pickup for the Brewers. He’s a good setup man with experience. Mike Timlin has been great for Boston for a few years now and has that solid pitch with a lot of movement — a slider — that Williams thinks is necessary to pitch in homer haven U.S. Cellular Field. Kerry Wood, Todd Jones, Eric Gagne, Bob Wickman and Julian Tavarez also are eligible to be out there.

The sleeper: Francisco Cordero has been great in the closer’s role for Milwaukee and, despite one bad half, was solid in that same spot with Texas. If he’s willing to stop closing, he could be a great setup man for Bobby Jenks.

Overall grade: B-

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